Port-of-Spain: 
Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley has written to the Integrity Commission condemning what he says has been the Attorney General's dismissive approach to concerns raised about the contract awarded by state owned National Petroleum to Gopaul and Company, owned by friends of the Prime Minister.
He's now calling on the Integrity Commission to take charge of the investigation into the contract and ensure all documents are protected.
In his letter Dr Rowley accused the Attorney General of publicly ridiculing and dismissing the issue of the prime minister's stay at the home of Maureen and Ralph Gopaul soon after the May 24th, 2010 General Election, a matter which is now before the Commission.
The Gopauls contracting company was awarded a $40 million contract by NP. On Thursday the AG announced that following an investigation the award of the contract was being scrapped and tenders would be reopened but Dr Rowley says there are still some unsettling issues that remain unresolved.
He cites 16 issues which he wants the Commission to investigate including allegations made by dismissed CEO Richard Callendar about ministerial intervention in the matter. He's also alleging that Gopaul and Company was not the lowest bidder, that there was a flawed evaluation exercise, that the incumbent haulers supplied the lowest tender and is publicly claiming unfair treatment, that the NP tender invitations was for the supply of 20 haulage units, that NP proceeded to attempt in the post-tender period to break up the award by offering five units to the incumbent while offering 15 units to Gopaul and Company rendering the tendering process corruptly compromised.
Dr Rowley recalls that Energy Minister Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan had gone so far as to appoint an investigative team with a promise to report to the country in seven days but before the expiry date she withdrew her involvement and the AG replaced her, but the minster's report has never been made public.
Dr Rowley says the AG has since reported that sensitive files are missing from NP on the matter and he is concerned that there may have been an attempt to disconnect the political directorate and the elements of the board of NP from being held accountable for any misconduct.
In his letter to the Commission Dr Rowley goes so far as to accuse the AG of a blatant attempt to effect an offcial cover up at NP.
Its for this reason he says he is asking the Commission to launch a thorough independent investigation into the award of the contract and that immediate steps be taken to protect all NP's documents relevant to the investigation.
You must be logged in to post a comment.